Do the migraines from the sulphasalazine stop? I already have migraines and now they are unrelenting. Are they a side effect that goes away?
Migraines: Do the migraines from the sulphasalazine... - NRAS
Migraines
I would say that you need to contact your rheumatologist as you need to try something else. It sounds like sulfa is making your pre-existing migraines worse and I doubt they will improve in time.
Hi ,I used to suffer with migraines but since I've been on meds for ra (touch wood) I've not experienced any migraines was on sulfsalazine now on methotrexate
Hi, I experienced horrific migraines when I started sulfasalazine. However they did stop and I’ve not had one for about 6 months.
They didn't for me. I also got them with Hydroxychloroquine!
Hiya Interpreter, welcome. I would say if the migraines are unrelenting you need to report it to your Rheumy. It could be that SSZ just isn't the DMARD for you. It needs discussing, you can't live as you are & there are options for you so there is something to be done. I used to have hormonal migraines pretty regularly, increased when on hydroxychloroquine (in part due to HCQ sunlight sensitivity). Rarely have them nowadays & I’ve been on methotrexate a good while. All that said we each respond to meds differently & the only way to know how you will fare is to try them I’m afraid. RD is one of those conditions that doesn’t have a one size fits all med but fortunately there are many we can try if one doesn’t bring control or causes intolerable side effects, which I’d say your is.I hope you enjoy being here. Look forward to seeing you around, & hearing that you're on your next med soon! 😊
Thank you so much. Methotrexate is what my rheumy wants to discuss with me at next appt. It scares me. Lol
Do you want to talk it through? It is unfortunate but it's reputation (sometimes unfounded) goes before it. Those of us who have tried or have been on it some time will be happy to share our experiences & maybe help dispel concerns.
I would love to talk it through. The sulphasalazine works pretty well for my pain. It's not completely gone, but it's not too bad. The methotrexate scares me some. Hydrochloraquine has been making my hair fall out, and the methotrexate will really make that worse. I've read that it also can cause headaches. It's a chemo drug. That scares me so much. If it doesn't help or causes migraine too, what's next? I realize this text is a ramble, sorry. 🙂
does hydroxy cause sun sensitivity?
Methotrexate is often listed as causing sun sensitivity. However, methotrexate is not, in fact, a sun sensitizing drug, but rather produces a reaction called radiation recall. Areas where patients have had sunburns in the past may react again after starting methotrexate.
Sulfasalazine more commonly causes sunburn reactions, but sun rash has also been reported.
Hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial, is another well-known cause of drug-induced sun sensitivity.
Just for future ref it would be helpful if you could please give the link to any info you share from another site or source, in this instance it's arthritisresearch.ca/sun-ex.... Thanks. The two main Rheumatology patient sites/forums/charities in the UK give this info... Photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight) nras.org.uk/methotrexate-in... & Methotrexate can increase your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight versusarthritis.org/news/20... Neither mention radiation recall (which is where areas exposed to radiation in the past can become inflamed, similar to serious sunburn). I wonder if it's that not enough research has been done & both generalise as sunlight sensitivity.
It was the one thing I hated and made me stop was the migraines just every day every minute. After all the others I had tried I am now waiting to start biologics. Definitely tell you RA clinic they need to know.
It's hard. Thank you
I just try anything offered stay positive but if the side effects crippling I speak up!
What is biologics?
If DMARDS fail you go on to biologics look it up on NRAS site lots of treatment info there.